Also, it can be dangerous for people who require power for medical reasons. Therefore, having back up power in case of an outage is a great idea for any home or residence.

Back up power can range from portable generators to standby home size generators depending on the need and requirements. The most common, portable power can be easily stored and ready when a power outage occurs for to long.

You Got the Power

There are two basic types when it comes to back up power, Portable and Stand By. The main difference between the two is that portable can be moved around and standby is just that, always on standby in a static location connected via a transfer switch to the home.

Additionally, stand by power is typically more expensive than portable. While both can be used for power outages, the stand by units will activate in seconds to supply back up power whereas a portable generator has to be pulled out of storage and cords plugged in.

Portable back up power is by far the most common as it is easy to use, does not require an technical installation and can be used for more than just back up power generation.

Standby generators tend to be larger and are static so they can not be used for anything other than standby generation. Since most power outages are only a few hours lasting usually less than a day, portable power is the preferred choice of most people. Portable power comes in all generation sizes from small, hand carried units to larger wheeled versions. For backup power, wattage ranges between 4000 watts and 15,000 watts are optimal for a range of homes.

Five Great Back Up Generators

Best Portable Generator for the Money

This electric start generator – DuroMax Model #XP4400E Generator produces 4400 watts of surge capacity and 3500 watts of continuous generation, more than enough for a small home.

It is fully circuit breaker protected and the engine has a low oil shutdown to prevent damage to components. It has multiple outlets, including two standard outlets and one twist lock dual voltage outlet that is switchable.

Fully EPA compliant, this generator is great for small home or for medium homes with less power requirements. Easy to use and run, it is great for power outages.

Best Deal for Gas Portable Generator

It is recoil start and the engine utilizes a cast iron cylinder sleeve for a longer lasting engine. It is fully CARB compliant and it has multiple outlets including four standard AC outlets and one dual voltage twistlock.

Each circuit is breaker protected and the generator has a voltage meter for accurate readings. This is a great generator for any usage and would be at home at a medium home or construction site. Perfect for back up generation in case of an outage.

Best Heavy Duty Generator with Easy Start

Generac has been a manufacturer of quality power equipment of all sizes for generations, from small portable units to industrial gensets. This model – Generac 5943 Model #GP7500E Generator carries on the tradition of being well built and robust.

Designed for any power demands, it produces 7500 watts of surge capacity and 6500 watts of continuous power, more than enough to run a medium size home including sump pumps and freezers.

It has circuit breaker protected outlets and all circuits are surge protected. It has a low oil shutdown and will run for 11 hours at half load.

It has multiple outlets including both standard and twist lock and all are rubber covered to prevent exposure to the elements. Overall, a perfect backup generator for any situation.

Best Powerful Portable Generator for Backup

It is electric start and all the circuits are GFCI for added protection. It has a digital readout for hour and maintenance cycling and there is a LED display for power demand and generation.

It has multiple outlets including both standard and twist lock switchable voltage outlets and each are circuit breaker and surge protected. All outlets are rubber covered to prevent exposure to the elements and can be used in wet weather. This generator is powerful enough to run any size home with ease.

Best Generator for Home Power Outage

For those that have high power demands or need extra surge capacity for larger items like freezers, AC units, and sump pumps, this generator – DuroMax Model #XP10000EH Generator is a beast.

Producing 10,000 watts of surge capacity and 8000 watts of continuous generation. It is also dual fuel with both gasoline and propane being an option with 8 hours of run time at half load.

It is electric start with recoil backup and it comes with multiple outlets including standard and dual switchable twist lock, all circuit breaker protected and surge protected.

It has a low oil shutdown and has idle control for optimal power generation. This is a powerful generator for those who have a large home or require a large amount of power.

Importantly, when purchasing a generator, always read and follow the operator’s instructions.

Never run a generator indoors such as a garage and never attempt to refuel a hot or running generator, allowing at least 30 minutes of down time before refueling. Make sure to consult the local laws for rules and regulations concerning the use of portable generators.

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